Index
Young people
London 2012 inspires more competitive sport in schools – 11 Aug 2012
A new British national PE curriculum, to be published in draft in the autumn, will require every primary school child to take part in competitive sport. The new curriculum will include football, netball and hockey, as well as outdoor activities. It will encourage older children to compare their performances to achieve their personal best. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK)
Sport New Zealand: Sport in Education Project
Sport New Zealand is developing an approach to deliver improved academic, social, PE and sporting outcomes in secondary schools. As well as improved academic performance, the project aims to improve the delivery of PE and sports programmes in surrounding primary schools, and to engage community organisations, such as clubs, in supporting teachers and students involved in sport in schools. (Sport New Zealand)
Welsh multi-skills move set for September start – 19 Jul 2012
The package that will change the way youngsters learn physical skills is now getting ready to begin its journey to classes, leisure centres and clubs across Wales. Work to research the best in children's sporting development from across the globe will see Wales launch Dragon Multi-Skills and Sport from September. The programme will focus on embedding basic skills for life such as agility, balance and co-ordination before children move on to playing a specific sport. (Sport Wales)
Timaru “Operation Basketball” – 31 Jul 2012
Five South Canterbury rural primary schools were looking for sporting inspiration. In 2011, Ange Black was appointed KiwiSport Coordinator for the area. She focused on basketball in the first year. As a direct result of the programme, participation in a wide range of sports has increased substantially among students in the Timaru Rural Schools cluster. (Sport Canterbury)
Australian Football League partners with active after-school communities programme to launch ALF 9s – 24 Jul 2012
A new partnership between the AFL and the Australian Government is designed to encourage children to participate more in football. AFL 9's will be introduced nationally throughout Australian schools the Active After-School Communities programme. Easier to play and less physically demanding than AFL, it aims to increase participation, enjoyment and safety. (Australian Sports Commission)
Scottish top golfers launch ClubGolf Ambassador scheme – 11 Jul 2012
A host of Scotland’s top golfers have been announced as official ClubGolf Ambassadors. Colin Montgomerie among others recently launched the Ambassador programme at a children’s coaching session. (EventScotland)
Getting it Right for Play in Scotland – 24 Jul 2012
Play Scotland has launched a Toolkit and supporting documents called ‘Getting it Right for Play’, which local authorities and communities can use to develop a local and strategic commitment to play. This will help to remove barriers and encourage and support children to play outdoors. (Play Scotland)
Consumption of sports drinks by children and adolescents – June 2012
This research review examines the evidence about children’s and adolescents’ consumption of sports drinks and the related health implications. In limited quantities, sports drinks are recommended only for individuals engaged in prolonged vigorous physical activity for more than one hour. For most children and adolescents, consuming water before, during, and after physical activity provides the necessary hydration. (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
Parents say that healthy eating is challenging for youth who play sports – 19 Jun 2012
The food and beverages available to youth when they participate in organised sports can often be unhealthy, according to a new study by investigators from the University of Minnesota. (Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour)
Community sport and recreation
Psychological barriers greatest hurdle to participation – 31 Jul 2012
This English Federation of Disability Sport report builds on numerous surveys indicating the majority of disabled people state their health or disability prevents them from participating in sport. “Understanding the barriers to participation in sport” canvases the views and opinions of active and non- active disabled people, provides insight into the barriers’ impacts, as well as recommending ways in which they may be overcome.
Participation and discrimination in sport – 18 Jul 2012
Sporting clubs should be places where people gather, which break down the barriers of racism and discrimination, encourage active participation, and connect people regardless of the colour of their skin, religious beliefs, gender or ability. This opinion piece by Victorian Health Promotion Foundation CEO Jerril Rechter discusses discrimination in sport. (Victorian Health Promotion Foundation)
England gets active as elite athletes flourish – 10 Aug 2012
Whilst the eyes of the world focussed on the venues of London 2012, people across the country have been giving sport a go at the Olympic Live Sites. Dozens of Live Sites were located across England to enable people to enjoy the Olympic action on big television screens and try out some of the sports that they have enjoyed watching. (Sport England)
Olympic Games will not improve mass participation in sport – 27 Jul 2012
Justifying the Olympic spending by claiming that the Games in London will inspire more Britons to participate in sports may be plain wrong, reveals a new study. “Give us our Ball Back: Reclaiming Sport for the Common Good” a new report by the two British think tanks, argues that politician’s claims about the benefits of the Olympics with regards to health, values, morality, and the economy are misleading. (Play the Game)
Women coaches as coach education programme facilitators – July 2012
Women coaches who have pursued a number of certification courses might start thinking about becoming coach education programme facilitators. Such a leadership position can be a way to develop skills and help other women coaches at the same time. This article gives examples of women coaches learning and developing as coaches and role models by becoming facilitators. (Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching)
British coaching programme leaves a lasting legacy – July 2012
The John Lewis Partnership: Partners in Sport Programme will leave a positive coaching legacy, helping to meet Government targets regarding increasing the number of grassroots coaches in the UK. The Programme, developed in conjunction with sports coach UK and launched in 2008, provided support to JLP Partners wishing to get into sports coaching. The initiative allowed them to acquire lifetime qualifications, the opportunity to give something back to their local community, and develop skills that can be transferred to the workplace. (sports coach UK)
Awards recognise 80,000 sport volunteers – 18 Jun 2012
Sport NZ and MORE FM are encouraging Kiwis to say thanks to the 800,000 volunteers who help make sport possible in this country. Each year volunteers give 50 million hours of their time to helping others enjoy sport. But it will only take a minute to thank them with a nomination in the Sport Volunteer Awards. (Sport New Zealand)
Outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation management strategy for Brisbane’s natural areas 2011-2021 - 2011
This strategy proposes actions for Brisbane’s natural areas that local government may take to ensure that the balance between visitor access and the protection of their values is maintained. It also introduces a guide on how you can look after natural areas and assist Council in ensuring outdoor recreation activities are sustainable, safe and enjoyable. (Brisbane City Council)
Improved mapping system entering testing – 1 Aug 2012
The Walking Access Mapping System will enter its next stage of evolution this month when an enhanced version of the system opens for public testing. The enhancements include an improved user interface and mobile functionality that will allow users to access the system on smartphones and other mobile devices. (Walking Access)
Auckland waterfront-wide walkway and cycleway rolls on – 3 Aug 2012
A continuous Auckland waterfront walkway and cycleway that runs from Herne Bay in the west to TEAL Park in the east and connecting on to Tamaki Drive is a step closer to reality. Council organisation Waterfront Auckland has been given the go ahead in an Auckland Council Strategy and Finance committee meeting for a key section around Westhaven Marina. (Waterfront Auckland)
What makes a good park? – 9 Aug 2012
Parks or plazas of similar sizes show wildly different amounts of usage and success. City officials and residents are often left wondering, why does one park work well when another does not? Public spaces should be well-located or they simply will not be well-used. (Better Cities & Towns)
More than Horsing Around – 01 July 2012
Half of the 9.2 million horses in the United States are used for trail and pleasure riding. Since 2001, horseback riding has increased 12 percent and recreational trail riding increased 2 percent. Consequently, this study sought information regarding the horseback trail riding experience, emphasising motivations and conflict situations to inform management and marketing for this niche group. (Parks and Recreation)
High performance
London 2012 stakeholders to share delivery lessons – 2 Aug 2012
High profile stakeholders integral to bringing the London Olympic and Paralympic Games to life are to come together to share their learning and expertise at the IPC Academy’s three day ‘Games Experience Programme’ next month. The programme is an opportunity for governments, bidding and candidate cities, and those involved in the Paralympic Games supply chain to gain an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved in delivering the second biggest sporting event in the world. (International Paralympic Committee)
Record numbers of women compete at London 2012 Paralympic Games – 16 Aug 2012
The International Paralympic Committee has announced that a record number of women are competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. A total of 1,513 female athletes will compete across 18 sports, more than double the 700 female athletes who took part in the Barcelona 1992 Games two decades ago. (London 2012)
Racism at the Olympics – 31 Jul 2012
Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr. Helen Szoke, discusses allegations by a high profile and successful Australian athlete of racism and racist attitudes at the Olympics. (Australian Human Rights Commission)
Joyce plots future Olympic glory – 2 Aug 2012
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has announced a suite of innovations aimed at ensuring future Olympic glory for New Zealand athletes. The innovations include financial incentives for academics whose students go on to win Olympic medals, rewards for institutions whose research supports athletic innovation, and a reporting and monitoring system that tracks the athletic progress of students through university or polytechnic study. (Tertiary Education Union)
British elite athlete funding secure – 12 Aug 2012
British athletes will continue to be strongly supported by National Lottery and Exchequer cash in the run up to the Rio 2016 Games. UK Sport will receive around £125 million a year over the next four years, providing sports-governing bodies with the certainty they need to put long term plans in place to emulate or better the 2012 medal haul that Team GB has enjoyed. The funding will also support Paralympic GB athletes who begin their campaign for medals in London shortly. (English Institute of Sport)
Organisational capability
Players examine the governance of sports – 26 Jun 2012
The Australian Athletes Alliance, the peak body for Australia’s elite athletes associations, recently held a legal conference to examine the governance of Australian sport. This article summarises the conference and the presentation papers are available on the Australian Athletes Association website. (Professional Footballers Australia)
Pursuing effective governance in Canada’s national sport community – November 2011
Good governance is about achieving desired results in a manner consistent with organisational values and accepted social norms. This is particularly true in the world of sport where our product is people – in particular, our athletes. This document outlines five principles of good governance and has a helpful ideas section to aid implementation. (Sport Canada)
British Culture, Media and Sport Committee questions chief executive of premier league – 10 Jul 2012
In 2011, the British Culture, Media and Sport Committee published a report into football governance, the public reaction to the document and its follow-up government response was less than positive. As a result the Committee will hold a further short inquiry into the subject. (British Culture, Media and Sport Committee)
Is there a ‘grass ceiling’ for female leaders in Australian sport? – 28 Jun 2012
Women may represent 50 per cent of Australia’s population, but a recent report from Women on Boards found that Australia’s national sport organisation boards have a long way to go to reach gender balance in the boardroom. The Boardroom Diversity Index’s National Sporting Organisations results, show that women are rarely found in the senior roles of sport management and sport governance. (Sports Business Insider)
Five keys to success as the rate of change accelerates – 16 Jul 2012
Kevin Eikenberry, a leadership consultant, believes if we want to succeed we must learn to do more than just “live with” or “deal with” change – we must learn to understand and master it. He provides five key ideas to help. (Leadership and Learning)
A big day for grassroots sports in Australia - 18 Jun 2012
Sports administrators need advice on how to link, market and get grants to support their work. The 2012 Sports Without Borders, Our Community National Sports Conference, aimed to address this need and support sporting organisation by providing insights, case studies, opportunities and connections through great speakers and hands-on workshops. (Sports Without Borders)
Sports science and technology
Drug tests catch Olympic athlete eight years late – 7 Aug 2012
It was a heavy blow for Belarus as Ivan Tsikhan, their champion hammer thrower, was withdrawn from the Olympic Games recently after he was found to have used banned substances to win silver in Athens eight years ago. Drug cheats develop ever more sophisticated ways of avoiding detection while anti-doping authorities hurry to catch up. This game of cat and mouse gives the International Olympics Committee reason to maintain an eight-year statute of limitations on drug-related offences. (New Scientist)
Time to get “smarter” in anti-doping fight – 9 Aug 2012
Almost 10 percent of athletes are actively involved in doping, according to Dick Pound, International Olympic Committee member and former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Just 24 hours after the Italian Olympic Committee announced race walker Alex Schwazer would not defend his Olympic title after failing a drugs test, Pound said throwing money at the doping situation is not a solution, and that WADA needs to get “smarter”. (SportBusiness)
London 2012 anti-doping lab: road to accreditation – 31 Jul 2012
The London 2012 Anti-Doping Laboratory looks set to conduct more tests than at any previous Olympic and Paralympic Games. The article reviews the process whereby an Olympic laboratory gains accreditation. (World Anti-doping Agency)
The 1500 metres: tactics and science – 8 Aug 2012
Massey University Associate Professor Hugh Morton says the 1500 metres track race is about tactics and running smart, not about running as fast as you can. In fact, it is about running as slow as you can, so long as no one runs faster than you. So what are the appropriate tactics and what has sport and exercise science got to say about it? (Massey University)
‘Weakest links’ show greatest gains in relay races – 24 Jul 2012
The inferior members of swimming or running relay teams – those athletes who fared poorest in individual races – showed the greatest gains when performing as part of a team, and those gains were even greater during final races as opposed to preliminary races. New research provides some of the first real-world support for the Köhler motivation effect, which describes how less capable individuals perform better when performing a task with others as opposed to individually. (Michigan State University)
Olympic inspiration should be met with sport safety – 30 Jul 2012
With the London Olympics inspiring many people to try new sports, Sports Medicine Australia, advises that preparation is needed before starting. It has developed a range of sport-specific fact sheets, spanning Olympic sports such as running, basketball, football, gymnastics, hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball, to inform sports participants how to prepare their bodies for their chosen sport, to get the most from their game and, most importantly, avoid injury. (Sports Medicine Australia)
Off the bench: Sport in Global Society
Large sporting events key to soft power – 6 Aug 2012
The Olympic Games and the World Cup offer host cities and countries a unique opportunity to make their mark on the world stage. However, such global sporting events aren't always held just for fun. If war is the pursuit of politics by other means, as the German strategist Clausewitz once put it, then organising the Olympic Games is the pursuit of war by peaceful means. (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation)
Post-independence athletic superpower – 15 Jul 2012
Jamaica has, undoubtedly, evolved into an acknowledged global athletic superpower over the last 50 years, since the nation gained political independence from Britain in 1962. The outstanding and dominant performances of Jamaica's athletes, particularly on the track, have served to catapult the nation to the top echelon of sports, where it continues to hold its own among much larger and developed countries. (Jamaica Information Service)
The Olympics and economics 2012 – 11 Jul 2012
Perhaps even more than the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games symbolise the values of global integration, international competition and collaboration, stamina, discipline and teamwork. The highlight of this publication is a series of interviews with past Olympians and Olympic personalities. There are also trends and performance statistics. (Goldman Sachs)
Sustainability through sport: implementing the Olympic movement’s agenda 21 – July 2012
The International Olympic Committee’s new publication contains a summary of progress made over the last 20 years in the area of sustainable development, including environmental protection, education and socio-economic development. It looks at how sustainability considerations have increasingly become an integral part of Olympic Games preparations, gives an overview of stakeholder initiatives and reflects on partnership models, including those with United Nations agencies. (International Olympic Committee)
Commonwealth ministers commit strongly to Sport for Development and Peace – 25 Jul 2012
Sports ministers and senior officials from 43 Commonwealth nations recently strongly endorsed a set of guidelines which will assist governments to strengthen Sport for Development and Peace approaches, and incorporate sport-based activities into development programmes. (The Commonwealth)
The London Olympic legacy: science and social media – 13 Aug 2012
The International Olympic Committee proclaimed these “the first social media Olympics.” And then the IOC discovered that they don’t know anything about social media. This article looks at some of the issues. (Playbook)
Useful websites
Good Governance in Grassroots Sport news site
The Good Governance in Grassroots Sport project is a transnational project that increases organisational capacity for good governance by focusing on transparency and accountability, particularly at the grassroots sport association level.
Smart Sport Voluntary Code
The Sport and Recreation Alliance (UK) led an initiative to create a Voluntary Code of Good Governance for the Sport and Recreation Sector. The Code is designed to enable sport and recreation organisations to aspire to and maintain good governance.
Responsible Sport Parenting Toolkit
This site provides links to downloadable tools that can help ensure a safe, positive, character-building youth sports experience for children.